Hawks favored to win 2015 Stanley Cup:

http://www.cbssports.com/...tanley-cup-oddsmakers-say



Would not mind the trend of alternating years with the Kings
- ikeane

- Canuckfan2006

Only 4 emoticons?

It will be at least 4 years before the Nucks are in the playoffs again so insult away.

But let's be honest if you're making a trade with chicago I'm pretty sure every GM in the league is gonna ask about saad or they're not doing their job
- MaWLz

Starting a negotiation with a non starter is not a negotiation.

Bowman could have replied "Ok, Saad for Kesler, Horvat and your number 1 this year" just to show what a pointless ask it was.

Canucks, especially with a new GM won't trade with the Hawks unless it was an outlandish overpayment by Chicago....In essence wasn't going to happen.

I don't know if I could think of another Organization that would be more opposed to trading with the Hawks than the Canucks.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

I thought that may have changed with Benning coming in. Considering the Nucks are now competitively irrelevant for the near future you would think they would drop the organizational ego complex and focus on acquiring real assets - no matter where they came from. I thought Linden might bring that kind of vision/class back there....

Oduya and a pick/ prospect for Smith and Greening?

Sharp to Philly for B. Schenn and a pick (2nd?)/prospect

Pick/Prospect from Philly to Bolts for Purcell?

Just guessing, that is why Stan is paid the big bucks
- ikeane

Nice ideas. I like Thompson from TB as well.

Not that I want Saad going anywhere, BUT is this a Bickellesque thing where we love games 5-7 Saad and base everything off that? It's ok if he gives us 40 pts in the regular season as long as he shows up in the playoffs? If so I'm not so inclined to think he's untouchable. Granted I think he's going to be a fantastic player but he was on a milk carton for about 6 weeks. I know he's young yada yada yada, I can already hear the arguments at me, just playing devils advocate here.

Happy Father's day to all dads out there. Be safe, your kids need you.

Not that I want Saad going anywhere, BUT is this a Bickellesque thing where we love games 5-7 Saad and base everything off that? It's ok if he gives us 40 pts in the regular season as long as he shows up in the playoffs? If so I'm not so inclined to think he's untouchable. Granted I think he's going to be a fantastic player but he was on a milk carton for about 6 weeks. I know he's young yada yada yada, I can already hear the arguments at me, just playing devils advocate here.
- Morganskaner88

I was thinking the same thing.
I know we all saw what a beast Saad was in the kings round. That is games 5,6,7. I think someone sat him down and gave him the "it's time to bring it speech".
I know his play spiraled upward when Shaw was playing on his line. But he was nearly invisible early in the series. (same could be said about others I guess as well)
I would not trade him. But am a little concerned about the inconsistency in his game.
Does he room with Bickell?

Starting a negotiation with a non starter is not a negotiation.

Bowman could have replied "Ok, Saad for Kesler, Horvat and your number 1 this year" just to show what a pointless ask it was.
- tredbrta

What is a non-starter now may not be a non-starter in a few weeks. I'm pretty sure that Tyler Seguin was a non-starter not too long before being traded. One things I learned in sales, if you don't feel embarassed by your first proposal, you're asking for too little.

Canucks, especially with a new GM won't trade with the Hawks unless it was an outlandish overpayment by Chicago....In essence wasn't going to happen.

I don't know if I could think of another Organization that would be more opposed to trading with the Hawks than the Canucks.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

bingo...enough said...

rumblings about Richards...tell me why the hwks would want this guy with a 6 yr cap hit of 5.7 mil left...after a buy out maybe but a trade....no way

Canucks, especially with a new GM won't trade with the Hawks unless it was an outlandish overpayment by Chicago....In essence wasn't going to happen.

I don't know if I could think of another Organization that would be more opposed to trading with the Hawks than the Canucks.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

I don't understand this line of thinking with the new playoff format. The Hawks and Canucks essentially can only meet (aside from a wildcard cross over fluke) in the Western Conference Finals. That's a far cry from when they met 3 years in a row recently. The odds of a third straight Kings/Hawks battle have to be huge, even though it seems possible.

Planning your strategy around something unlikely just doesn't seem like sound management. I could see if they were in the same division, but opposite division in the same conference isn't that much different any more than being in the other conference.

Not that I want Saad going anywhere, BUT is this a Bickellesque thing where we love games 5-7 Saad and base everything off that? It's ok if he gives us 40 pts in the regular season as long as he shows up in the playoffs? If so I'm not so inclined to think he's untouchable. Granted I think he's going to be a fantastic player but he was on a milk carton for about 6 weeks. I know he's young yada yada yada, I can already hear the arguments at me, just playing devils advocate here.
- Morganskaner88

That whole third line was on milk cartons for the majority of the second half of the season. If Saad is going to be slotted across from Kane for the majority of the year, I would be disappointed if he didn't amass at least 50-60 points.

bingo...enough said...

rumblings about Richards...tell me why the hwks would want this guy with a 6 yr cap hit of 5.7 mil left...after a buy out maybe but a trade....no way
- bogiedoc

What if the Canucks retained 50% of his salary?

I was thinking the same thing.
I know we all saw what a beast Saad was in the kings round. That is games 5,6,7. I think someone sat him down and gave him the "it's time to bring it speech".
I know his play spiraled upward when Shaw was playing on his line. But he was nearly invisible early in the series. (same could be said about others I guess as well)
I would not trade him. But am a little concerned about the inconsistency in his game.
Does he room with Bickell?
- camfor

Until the late part of the season I thought Saad's numbers were pretty consistent.

He took a hit (by Franzen/Wings I think) sat a few games and sort of disappeared. Started driving the net again in the playoffs though. Considering his age and only 2nd full season you can't move him as part of a package. Brings too much value for the cost - even on his next deal.

If he is streaky like Bickell at Bickell's age and salary...

- DDM-Coga

bingo...enough said...

rumblings about Richards...tell me why the hwks would want this guy with a 6 yr cap hit of 5.7 mil left...after a buy out maybe but a trade....no way
- bogiedoc

The only talk about Mike Richards is after the buyout. For the right price he'd be a great acquisition. But I wouldn't break the bank for him.

The only talk about Mike Richards is after the buyout. For the right price he'd be a great acquisition. But I wouldn't break the bank for him.
- DarthKane

EK is talking about the Hawks trading for him. " The Blackhawks are among the teams most interested I am told if a trade were to occur. "

More absolute nonsense. Does he ever consider the salary cap before posting a rumor?

I know the Hawks and Kings have close ties - Lombardi married Pulford's daughter, Sutter, some back office and scouting ties as well - but the Kings are the Hawks least likely trading partner IMO. At least for significant parts like Richards. I'm sure Carcillo or minor deals will continue.

You are right about feeling out Richards if he is bought out. He would look good though I think he has lost a step the last 2 years. He may be the type who would prefer to play for a contender for less money but I think he will see some strong offers if Bolland (with his injury history) is looking at $5mill plus as reported.

Can we have saad if we ask really really nicely??!!
- MaWLz

Sorry bud, no one on that team is worth Saad straight up.

EK is talking about the Hawks trading for him. More absolute nonsense. Does he ever consider the salary cap before posting a rumor?

I know the Hawks and Kings have close ties - Lombardi married Pulford's daughter, Sutter, some back office and scouting ties as well - but the Kings are the Hawks least likely trading partner IMO. At least for significant parts like Richards. I'm sure Carcillo or minor deals will continue.
- tredbrta

A trade will never happen unless the Kings retained a portion of Richards' salary, which will never happen.

Asking for Saad in trade seems pretty consistent with what I've heard the Canucks and Senators asking for Kesler & Spezza.

Young top 6 player + Top prospect + pick.

Saad is a heavy price to pay, I'm not upset with Bowman for walking away.

Maybe Joe Thornton becomes a serious option?

Just for reference with all the trade talks. Here are the Hawk drafts going back to 1963. StanBowPops&McD have been responsible as a trio for the last 3 drafts. http://www.hockeydb.com/i...aft/teams/dr00005218.html

Oduya to go? Just like it was said of signing Bickell the Hawks simply had no other player in the system with his skills to replace him. Unless one sees Leddy, next year, as that replacement (I don't) the Hawks have created another hole at a position they claim where their offense starts and at a position where the team statistically regressed last year.

Although Oduya is a UFA and Leddy is an RFA in 2015 their current contracts has Oduya only making 675k more per.
- Mr Ricochet

Looking at most of those drafts is like getting water boarded.

Players get moved here because they are overpaid or a cheaper replacement can be found...at least in theory. If you believe the Hawks will tie up $4-$5 million per year in #4 and #5 dmen over the next 4 years there is no reason to speculate on an Oduya and Leddy deal.

I don't believe they will both be here in 2 years...

Don't cry for me Argentina. ......

What if the Canucks retained 50% of his salary?
- NewToHockey

That would be something considering he plays for LA

Asking for Saad in trade seems pretty consistent with what I've heard the Canucks and Senators asking for Kesler & Spezza.

Young top 6 player + Top prospect + pick.

Saad is a heavy price to pay, I'm not upset with Bowman for walking away.

Maybe Joe Thornton becomes a serious option?
- Hawks82

I know sjs is looking to get ove the hump but they would never deal thornton to chi as their well documented missing piece at 2C so they can, in a years time watch him win a cup and possibly knock the sharks out with an already cup contending hawks roster without joe


I think the league poops itself if you get thornton in between saad and kane

Asking for Saad in trade seems pretty consistent with what I've heard the Canucks and Senators asking for Kesler & Spezza.

Young top 6 player + Top prospect + pick.

Saad is a heavy price to pay, I'm not upset with Bowman for walking away.

Maybe Joe Thornton becomes a serious option?
- Hawks82

I think JJ mentioned Greening from the Sens. Be interesting to see what he could do with a change of scenery if he could picked up cheaply.

That package for Spezza is just nuts without him agreeing to an extension. Just a little less nuts for Kesler - who cannot even agree to extend with 2 years left on his deal under the new CBA.